Professor Nicole Webster has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, in recognition of her dedication to driving innovative research for ocean and climate solutions.
Before joining the University of Tasmania as the Executive Director of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in 2024, Professor Webster was Chief Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division.
As a marine microbial ecologist, Professor Webster has moved from the tropics to the poles, studying how microorganisms contribute to the health of the Great Barrier Reef, and the utility of microbes as biomarkers for environmental stress in the Ross Sea of Antarctica.
Her research on marine microbes reveals their vital role in coral reef health, and this knowledge is informing conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems.
“As a passionate advocate for understanding and communicating the importance of marine microorganisms, I’m thrilled and humbled to have been elected as an Academy Fellow,” Professor Webster said.
“Science is very much a team effort, and I recognise that my research has been supported by so many outstanding early career scientists and collaborators.”
President of the Academy, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, said the 26 new Fellows of 2025 represent the exceptional breadth and depth of Australian scientific excellence.
“The Academy is proud to welcome such a diverse group of outstanding scientists whose work spans from improving mental health outcomes to securing our food future and unravelling the mysteries of the universe,” Professor Jagadish said.
“Each Fellow has made remarkable contributions in their field, demonstrating the vital role that science plays in addressing our most pressing challenges and expanding human knowledge.”